Reviews

A "survival kit" with "62+" components that come integrated…

Rating:Source: received it as a sample, freebie, or prize (Adventure Medical Kits)

Summary

A "survival kit" with "62+" components that come integrated into a hard case. Excellent as a stocking stuffer or maybe a gag gift. It may perform sort of okay as a reserve in a glove box or the like.

Pros

a wide selection of tools

instructions included

Cons

heavy

bulky

kits contents are just okay

The components of this kit are plentiful. I was impressed to see most of the must-have kit materials present in a pre-fab survival kit. Assuming that the apparel you are wearing in your survival situation is sufficient for providing you with shelter until rescue, the SOL will be able to assist with fire, a cutting tool, a signal mirror, and possibly some gear repair. Not so much in the water category...

The wire might fix some damaged items, however, I doubt that a person carrying this kit will be snaring wild game to sustain themselves until rescue. The teeny tiny bit of nylon cord will assist in possibly replacing a shoelace...

I like the compass, it performed well — for a button compass.

The "waterproof" container is of an odd shape and rather shallow. I foresee significant frustration overcoming those individuals intending to gut this kit and replace its contents with personal items.

The out-of-the-package kit seems durable and the items seem to lock in wonderfully. I cannot say how the kit would perform in an actual survival situation as I would never subject myself, or anyone else for that matter, to a survival situation in which we are equipped with nothing but a plastic box, tiny knife, and no shelter or water components.

As I said in the video, this kit is a fun gift, a nice redundancy, or a training tool for children. When it comes to the backcountry one must have the training to endure the wildness and the elements. That training will, by default, strongly encourage the wilderness wanderer to have their own, far more comprehensive kit, the most important aspect of said kit will be the user's mind, not the little knife with the whistle and the flashlight built in.

This is a great Grab n` Go survival kit for backpacking…

This is a great Grab n` Go survival kit for backpacking or hiking trips.

Pros

Small package size

Good basis foundation

Good quality items

Cons

Could have had a few aditions, not for long term survival

The SOL Origin is just the right amount of equipment if you find yourself in bad way. The compass, knife, and fire strike are a "must have" in any survival scenario. The whistle and flash signal mirror may just be the difference between being rescued or not.

The LED light, cordage and fishing kit are great extras, along with the 62 point survival instructions, and the ability to add items like water tablets and and a water collection bag may just mean the difference between surviving and thriving!

As with all the Survive Outdoors Longer products, it is a well designed product with quality in mind. I would definitely recommend this kit to any one looking for a compact survival kit to throw in a hunter's pack, backpacking or camping bag, or in a cargo pocket, to take on a days adventure.

I got this as a freebie despite having to pay import…

Rating:Source: received it as a sample, freebie, or prize (Trailspace Giveaway)

Pros

good signal mirror

The survival tips by Buck Tilton, that's it

Cons

Plastic terrible knife

Light will not switch off

Light on off button has broken

I got this as a freebie despite having to pay import duties. OK, this must rate as the worst survival kit out there. The knife is terrible. The light is useless. The light on mine would not work when it worked. It would not switch off. The on/off switch has now broken (just what you need in a survival situation!).

The plastic box is way too small. I much prefer a simple 2oz tobacco tin. The knife blade works itself loose after a little while. If I had paid the full price for this I would have been really angry, but as it cost nothing I can just throw it in the rubbish bin and forget about it.

I mean it retails for about £50 pound in the UK. There are various companies in the UK that do survival tins from about £12.99 upwards. All of them are better than this. What I mean to say is you get a tin you can boil water in or cook small amounts of food and you get a small locking knife. I mean that's it. Anything else is gravy!

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